Gundogdu flew out of the stalls a fortnight ago and soon led, going clear at one stage and winning with something in hand. That was over the extended 1m1f track and several of those behind were given too much to do including runner-up CACHAO, fourth-placed Quartier Francais, fifth Mears and seventh Hawker. The winner has never scored over a trip this far and is unlikely to be given the same freedom here so the runner-up gets the vote. Mulfit has only had four runs but landed a mile maiden a month ago but Doug Watson wouldn't be running him unless thought capable of a big effort. Immortalised ended the last campaign with a course and distance victory and reappeared in October with a very good effort so has to be on the shortlist.
Quartier Francais (USA) (9-5) 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Gundogdu (8-13) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Nov.
Gundogdu (USA) (8-13) won at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Nov beating Cachao (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Mulfit (USA) (9-0) won at Meydan 1m mdn stks pol in Nov beating Shanaghai City (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Montakhab (USA) (9-2) 9th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Gundogdu (8-13) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Nov.
Cachao (8-11) 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Gundogdu (8-13) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Nov.
Glorious Poet 16-1 (8-13) 4th of 13, 5l behind Immortalised (8-5) at Meydan 1m 3f hcp fst in Apr.
Immortalised 5-1 (9-1) 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Tradesman (9-6) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Oct.
Mears (USA) (8-10) 5th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Gundogdu (8-13) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Nov.
Hawker (8-9) 7th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Gundogdu (8-13) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Nov.
Sa'ada (USA) 9-1 (9-1) 4th of 15, 7 1/4l behind Tradesman (9-6) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Oct.
Arch Gold (USA) 10-3jfav (8-10) 6th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Tafaakhor (8-13) at Jebel Ali 1m 1f hcp fst in Nov.
Good Contact (USA) (9-8) 5th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Right Flank (9-8) at Jebel Ali 1m hcp fst in Nov.